Nursing Advising

Admission Overview

Admission to the Nursing AAS-T program is different from admission to other college programs because students are selected on a competitive basis called Selective Admission. This program has additional application and qualification requirements with application deadlines unique to the program. Pre-requisites must be completed prior to application.

Admission Dates

The program offers admission three times per year: Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. Exact application deadlines can be found on the Nursing webpage.

Competitive Program

The amount of students interested in the Nursing program exceeds the spots available, therefore the program is very competitive. There is an average of over 160 students applying during each cycle. In Fall 2020 there were 224 applicants for 24 spots. It is important that any student interested in pursuing Nursing admission is well-prepared for the admission process.

There is no waitlist for this program. Applicants who are not admitted must apply again to be considered for admission.

Nursing Application

Students can find application materials for the Nursing program on the Nursing webpage at LWTech.edu/nursing.

Students interested in applying to the Nursing AAS-T program are required to have the following completed at the time of application:

Nursing Admission Points Criteria

40 Pts Cumulative GPA from five classes:

• ENGL&101
• BIOL&241
• BIOL&242
• MATH&146
• PSYC&200

Must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA in the 5 GPA Bearing Course Requirements. Each course must be completed with a 2.0 or better. Science courses must have been completed in the past 10 years.

0 Pts Completion of CHEM&121

30 Pts TEAS test (less than 2 years old. Minimum score of 70 required)

Total Possible Points: 70 Points

Spring 2021 Admissions Changes 

• There is now a minimum TEAS score requirement of a 70. Applicants with less than a score of 70 will not be considered for admission.
• There are no longer 5 optional points given for prior education. This change makes the total score possible for applicants 70 points. 
• Medical Licensure is no longer required for admission.

It can be helpful for prospective Nursing applicants to review the statistics of the students recently admitted to the program. Comparing your scores to the admission statistics can provide a better understanding of how competitive of an applicant you are.

Please note that as of the Spring 2021 admission cycle, the total number of points available is now 70 and there are no longer optional prior education points. The statistics below include these no longer relevant statistics. 

Winter 2021 Admission Statistics

• Total Applicants 161
• Average Cumulative Prereq. GPA (5 Courses) 3.87
• Average TEAS Composite Score 89.16
• Average Prior Education Points 4.3 (NO longer relevant)
• Average Total Points 69.77 (75 points possible)

Fall 2020 Admission Statistics

• Total Applicants 224
• Average Cumulative Prereq. GPA (5 Courses) 3.86
• Average TEAS Composite Score 88.05
• Average Prior Education Points 4.5 (NO longer relevant)
• Average Total Points 69.49 (75 points possible)

Spring 2020 Admission Statistics

• Total Applicants 140
• Average Cumulative Prereq. GPA (5 Courses) 3.89
• Average TEAS Composite Score 86.02
• Average Prior Education Points 4.46 (NO longer relevant)
• Average Total Points 69.16 (75 points possible)

The following courses must be completed to apply to the Nursing program:

GPA Bearing Courses

• ENGL&101
• BIOL&241
• BIOL&242
• MATH&146
• PSYC&200

Non-GPA Bearing Course

• CHEM&121

Minimum Grade Requirements

Applicants must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA in the 5 GPA Bearing Pre-Requisites. Each course must be completed with a 2.0 or better. Courses must be taken within time limit (2020-2021: time limit is 10 years).

While the minimum GPA in the 5 GPA Bearing Pre-Requisites to apply to the program is a 3.0, the average cumulative GPA for the 5 GPA Bearing Pre-Requisites for students admitted is a 3.9.

 

Additional Note for Planning

It is important to note that all of the admission pre-requisite courses listed above have pre-requisites. For example:

• BIOL&242 cannot be taken until completion of BIOL&241.
• BIOL&241 cannot be taken until completion of BIOL&160.
• BIOL&160 cannot be taken until completion of ENGL 093 (or placement into ENGL 099 or higher).

Students are highly encouraged to review the College Catalog for further details and to attend a group advising session for further assistance with planning.

TEAS Test Overview

The TEAS test is the Test of Essential Academic Skills. It is required to apply to the Nursing program.

Applicants must have a minimum score of 70 to be considered for admission. Applicants with a score of under 70 will not be considered.

 

The TEAS is divided into the following sections:

• Reading: paragraph comprehension, passage comprehension, and inferences/conclusions
• Math: whole numbers, metric conversion, fractions, decimals, algebraic equations, percentages, and ratio/proportions, statistics
• Science: reasoning, science knowledge, biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, basic physical principles, and general science
• English and Language User: punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, contextual words, and spelling

LWTech TEAS Testing Policy

Please submit your highest TEAS score that is no older than 2 years from the application deadline. Minimum score of 70 required.

Taking the TEAS at LWTech

Go to the LWTech Assessment page and fill out the web form to schedule your TEAS test.

• The test takes approximately 3.5 hours and cost $90 (subject to change).
• Due to COVID 19, the test can be taken remotely through LWTech’s Assessment Center.
• Test spots fill quickly.

Sending TEAS Scores to LWTech

• Go to the ATI site and order your TEAS transcript to be sent to the LWTech database .
• ATI charges a fee (approximately $27) to have the results transferred to LWTech.

Studying for the TEAS

• Students are encouraged to review the TEAS study materials listed on the ATI website. They offer practice tests, books, and other preparatory materials.
• Students are highly encouraged to take the TEAS test after they complete their pre-requisite course work and to study for the TEAS prior to taking the exam.
• LWTech's TRiO program created the following presentation to prepare students for the TEAS test.
• TEAS Test Guide 

• TRIO provides additional support to eligible first-generation to college, low-income students, and students with disabilities such as one-on-one tutoring for pre-requisite courses, support completing scholarship and FAFSA forms, help with selective admission advising and completing selective admission applications. For more information, and to see if you qualify, contact TRIO at (425) 739-8361 or by email at trio@lwtech.edu

Co-Requisite Definition

Co-Requisites are courses that are NOT REQUIRED at the time of application.

However, in the case of a tie-breaker, a student with co-requisites complete will be given priority.

Students are encouraged to complete co-requisites prior to starting the Nursing AAS-T program due to the heavy course load.

Co-Requisite Courses:

• NUTR&101
• CMST& 210, 220 or 230
• BIOL&260

These courses must be completed with a 2.0 or better

Washington Community & Technical College Courses and Transcripts

• All of the pre-requisite courses for Nursing admissions are common core academic courses across the community and technical college system. If you took a class with the exact same coding and title, such as PSYC&200 Lifespan Psychology, at another community or technical college, the course is equivalent and will transfer in. Please note that you must have a 2.0 or higher in a course to transfer it.

Washington State Colleges & Universities

• If you have a course that does not have the exact coding and title as the requirement at a university in Washington State, you can email nursing@lwtech.edu to ask about course equivalency.

Out of State Colleges & Universities

• If you took courses at an out of state college or university, you must apply for general admission and submit an official transcript for evaluation. This process can take 2-3 weeks from the time we receive the transcript.

International Transcripts

• Students who wish to transfer courses from institutions outside of the United States will need to have a course-by-course evaluation of their transcripts performed by an international credential evaluation agency.
• International credential evaluation agencies can be found on the Transfer webpage.
• We cannot accept international transcripts directly for placement or transfer. These transcripts must have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an international credential evaluation agency.

Semester Credits

• If you are transferring credits in from a semester school, you can multiply the amount of credits by 1.5 to find the quarter credit amount (It is common for you to have a 3 cr semester credit class that will translate into 4.5 quarter credits. This is OK for the admission process).

Unofficial Transcript Evaluation

Advisors cannot guarantee that a course from another institution will count towards the pre-requisites for a competitive admission program.

ALL students must submit an official transcript to the college for evaluation to receive official confirmation that the course they are transferring in meets the requirements.

Sending Official Transcripts

To learn more about transferring courses to LWTech, visit the Transferring to LWTech webpage.

Verifying LWTech Received your Transcript

Evaluation results will be available 2-4 weeks after the receipt of official transcripts. The total number of credits transferred in and the institution from which the credits were transferred will be posted to your LWTech transcript.

The results of the evaluation can be viewed by running a Degree Degree Audit(SID and PIN required) for the Nursing AAS-T.

Additional questions?

Nursing applicants with further questions can contact: nursing@lwtech.edu

Major Declaration

The Nursing AAS-T program is a competitive entry program. If you have not been admitted to the Nursing AAS-T program, you are not eligible to receive Financial Aid for it.

Students interested in using financial aid while pursuing pre-requisites for the Nursing program are strongly encouraged to review information about Health Sciences AAS-T and Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP for more information on how this program may be the best fit to help you reach your goals.

Paying for College Resources

LWTech offers many resources to assist students who are interested in pursuing the Nursing program with paying for college.

Students are encouraged to review:

• State and Federal Financial Aid
• Workforce Development
• Scholarships

Unlike the Nursing AAS-T, these programs are not competitive entry, but open to all. They embed all of the pre-requisites to the Nursing AAS-T program and provide a financial aid benefit to students as well as degree progression in the case they are not admitted to the Nursing program.

If you wish to update your program of study to either of these programs, you can do so online.

Health Sciences AAS-T

The Health Sciences AAS-T is a program that embeds all of the pre-requisites for the Nursing program. It also requires the Nursing Assistant Certificate which will provide students the opportunity to learn hands on skills related to their nursing goals. 

There are numerous benefits to this option:

• If you are not admitted to the Nursing program, you will still be able to move forward in completing this degree, which upon completion gives you the pre-requisites needed to apply to Bachelor of Applied Science options, such as Public Health or Behavioral Health.
• The Health Sciences AAS-T is an open admission program and is an approved program for Financial Aid.
• The Health Sciences AAS-T program allows eligible students to utilize Workforce Development programs.

Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP

The Associate in Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP pathway offers a broad selection of academic courses that prepares students for upper division coursework leading to the Bachelor of Science, Nursing Degree (Entry-to-practice/basic BSN). It also embeds all of LWTech's Nursing AAS-T pre-requisites.

Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP graduates are prepared to apply to BSN programs at various institutions across Washington state including the following baccalaureate institutions offering an entry-to-practice/basic BSN program and the community and technical colleges system:

• University of Washington, Seattle;
• Washington State University;
• Northwest University;
• Seattle University;
• Seattle Pacific University;
• Pacific Lutheran University;
• Walla Walla College, and the
• Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing

There are numerous benefits to this option:

• If you are not admitted to the Nursing program, you will still be able to move forward in completing this degree, which upon completion gives you the pre-requisites needed to apply toBachelor of Applied Science options, such as Public Health or Behavioral Health.

• Upon completion of this program, you are also eligible to apply to the direct-entry BSN programs listed above.

• The Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP is an open admission program (no application required, any student can declare this major) and is an approved program for Financial Aid.

Science Time Limits

• Science classes have a time limit of 10 years.
• Starting Fall 2022, sciences will have a time limit of 7 years.

Non-Science Time Limits

• Non-Science classes do not have a time limit.

The average cumulative GPA for the 5 GPA bearing courses is a 3.9

Students who earn grades lower than this may want to consider retaking courses for a higher grade to be more competitive applicants.

Course Retake Policy

LWTech's nursing program does not have a policy about course retakes, you can simply report the course with the highest grade if you retake a course.

Financial Aid and Retaking Classes

Please note that course retakes in cases where you have passed the course (2.0 or higher) and wish to retake it for a better grade are not typically covered by financial aid. Please contact Financial Aid for to inquire about their retake policy.

Other Colleges Retake Policies

Not all other schools allow students to retake classes or accept classes that have been retaken for Nursing admission. It is important you do your own research to be aware of how retaking courses will impact you if you are applying to other programs. LWTech Advisors cannot advise on other colleges policies.

All official transcripts must be received by the published deadline for consideration.

If your transcript is not received by the published deadline, it will not be considered for admission and you are encouraged to apply again in a future admission cycle.

 

You will undergo a background check for the program. This is your access to clinical facilities. If you don't pass the background, you will not be able to complete the program of study.

Washington State Department of Health does background check prior to issuing license. Their website gives a list of felonies and misdemeanors that are not acceptable for licensure. It is the student's responsibility to follow up with the Department of Health.

Individual Appointments

Individual appointments with an academic advisor are not available for students interested in the nursing program. Students are encouraged to engage with all materials listed on this page thoroughly.

All students are encouraged to see if they meet the qualifications for the following support programs, which do offer one-on-one advising assistance to eligible students:

• TRiO: The goal of TRIO is to provide services to students who are low-income, first-generation (neither parent nor guardian has a bachelor’s degree and neither does the student), or students with disabilities. TRiO offers one-on-one tutoring, academic advising, and more.
• Workforce Development: This department consists of several federal and state funded programs including BFET, Opportunity Grant, Worker Retraining, and WorkFirst. The programs may provide assistance with tuition, books, advising, and individualized support services. Students must qualify for the programs to receive benefits.

Group Advising and Information Sessions

Group Advising & Information Sessions are available for students planning their pre-requisites. The schedule can be found at the top of this page.

Drop-In Advising

Students with advising questions or needs, such as registering for courses or entry codes, can also access drop-in advising. Schedule and information are available at LWTech.edu/advising.

Please note that advisors are not able to answer questions about nursing admission requirements during drop-in advising. Those questions should be asked during Group Advising & Information Sessions or directed to nursing@lwtech.edu.

Students are highly encouraged to utilize LWTech's free tutoring resources in their pre-requisite coursework.

Tutoring resources:

• The Learning Lab: The Learning Lab is a drop-in tutoring center that supports All LWTech students in math, English, science, social science, pre-requisite, and select program classes. The Learning Lab offers free drop-in tutoring from faculty, staff, and certified tutors to support students in understanding course concepts and accessing resources.
• TRiO: The goal of TRIO is to provide services to students who are low-income, first-generation (neither parent nor guardian has a bachelor’s degree and neither does the student), or students with disabilities. TRiO offers one-on-one tutoring, academic advising, and more.

Paying for College Resources

LWTech offers many resources to assist students who are interested in pursuing the Nursing program with paying for college.

Students are encouraged to review:

• State and Federal Financial Aid
• Workforce Development
• Scholarships

Major Declaration

The Nursing AAS-T program is a competitive entry program. If you have not been admitted to the Nursing AAS-T program, you are not eligible to receive Financial Aid for it.

Students interested in using financial aid while pursuing pre-requisites for the Nursing program are strongly encouraged to review information about Health Sciences AAS-T or Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP for more information on how this program may be the best fit to help you reach your goals.

Checking Your Status

• You can check on the progress of your admission decision status by logging into your Self-Service Center.
• Requirement status will be updated manually, when admission staff process and verify your application documents.
• This field does not update automatically
• Due to the high volume of applicants, the process of updating the portal is slow. Thank you for your patience

The final decision status will be available on your online account. You can check decision status by logging into your Self-Service Center.

The decision status will be available approximately 4 weeks after the application deadline.

If you are accepted to the Nursing program, you will need to accept or deny the offer of admission.

• To accept the offer of admission, you must return an accept/decline form.
• Click ‘Respond’ in the top-right of this letter and submit online
• If you experience any difficulty with this form, please email Nursing@lwtech.edu or call (425) 739-8104 to get assistance

Students accepted into the Nursing Program are required to complete a mandatory Nursing Orientation.

• Failure to complete the nursing orientation will result in the student’s withdrawal from the Nursing Cohort.

The Nursing Program admits 24 students per cycle. There is an average of 160 applicants per cycle. Unfortunately, this means that even a very strong candidate may not be admitted to the program.

The denial letter will contain your scores and provide averages for the admitted applicants. You are encouraged to review this and glean where you scored lower than those who were admitted.

If you have questions or concerns about why you were denied, you may contact Nursing@lwtech.edu. Please note that it may take 2-3 weeks for them to reply with this information.

Alternative Admission Offers

Students who are denied from the Nursing program who meet the pre-requisites for healthcare related BAS programs at LWTech may be offered admission to those programs, such as Public Health and Behavioral Healthcare.

There is no limit on times a student can reapply to the program. Students must read the re-applicant information in the Supporting Information Packet linked at LWTech.edu/Nursing.